Grizzly Bears Arrive at Central Park Zoo Betty and Veronica, the fi Rst Residents of a New Grizzly Bear Exhibit at the Central Park Zoo
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Members’ News The Official WCS Members’ Newsletter Mar/Apr 2015 Grizzly Bears Arrive at Central Park Zoo Betty and Veronica, the fi rst residents of a new grizzly bear exhibit at the Central Park Zoo. escued grizzly bears have found a new home at the Betty and Veronica were rescued separately in Mon- RCentral Park Zoo, in a completely remodeled hab- tana and Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. itat formerly occupied by the zoo’s polar bears. The Both had become too accustomed to humans and fi rst two grizzlies to move into the new exhibit, Betty were considered a danger to people by local authori- and Veronica, have been companions at WCS’s Bronx ties. Of the three bears that arrived in 2013, two are Zoo since 1995. siblings whose mother was illegally shot, and the third is an unrelated bear whose mother was euthanized by A Home for Bears wildlife offi cials after repeatedly foraging for food in a Society Conservation Wildlife © Maher Larsen Julie Photos: The WCS parks are currently home to nine rescued residential area. brown bears, all of whom share a common story: they “While we are saddened that the bears were or- had come into confl ict phaned, we are pleased WCS is able to provide a home with humans in for these beautiful animals that would not have been the wild. able to survive in the wild on their own,” said Director of WCS City Zoos Craig Piper. “We look forward to sharing their stories, which will certainly endear them in the hearts of New Yorkers. Our goal is to help peo- ple better understand how to safely coexist with bears when visiting or living in bear country.” Signifi cant portions of the Central Park Zoo bear ex- hibit renovations were made possible thanks to the gen- erous support and love for animals of Sandra de Roulet. Helping Bears in the Wild WCS conservationists are working with local communities in the Adirondacks and the American West to promote human/ bear coexistence, including educating people who live in areas with dense bear populations on proper food storage and trash disposal, so that bears don’t become reliant on human food and instead forage in wild areas. To learn more about WCS’s efforts to protect wild bears, please visit wcs.org. 1 A Touch of the Tropics at the Prospect Park Zoo wo tropical lettered aracaris have made their de- Tbut at WCS’s Prospect Park Zoo. This small spe- cies of toucan, native to South America, is known for its strikingly colorful plumage, compact body, and working in the large bill. The lettered aracari weighs approximately fi eld to miti- four ounces and reaches about 12 inches in length as gate these adult. They are social animals that generally roost in challenges hollowed out trees with other adults and their fl edg- and protect the area’s most ecologically ing offspring. intact wild places, including the Amazon The lettered aracari is native to the moist lowland Basin where toucans live. forests and swamps of Ecuador, Brazil, Columbia, The Prospect Park Zoo is home to several other Bolivia, and Peru. While not endangered, the bird’s tropical and sub-tropical birds, including Victo- natural habitat is facing serious threats from habi- ria crowned pigeons, scarlet ibises, and peafowl. tat fragmentation, climate change, and other factors. On your next trip to the zoo, visit the lettered WCS’s Latin America and Caribbean Program is aracaris in the zoo’s Animal Lifestyles building. Harbor Seals Return to Central Park Zoo wo young harbor seals have in more than 15 years. Though fi n exhibits. The harbor seals are Tarrived at WCS’s Central Park not endangered, harbor seals immediately distinguishable from Zoo. The two male seals, Adam are protected under the Marine their cousins in the sea lion pool. and Anson, were born at WCS’s Mammal Protection Act. They Both seals and sea lions are mem- New York Aquarium. This spe- are abundant off the coast of New bers of the pinniped family, but cies has not been exhibited at the York City and Long Island. they look and move differently. Central Park Zoo since 2011. The Harbor seals lack the external ear new arrivals are still juveniles; as Seals or Sea Lions? fl aps found on sea lions, and have adults they could reach up to 250 The two seals at Central Park more tubular bodies with spotted pounds each. They are the fi rst Zoo are in the pool adjacent to coats that can range in color from harbor seals born at the aquarium the Polar Circle penguin and puf- silver to dark brown or black. Sea lions are more agile on land since they can support their weight with their front fl ippers, on which they can even “walk” for short distances. On land, harbor seals move more like caterpillars. In the water, both are excellent swimmers but sea lions propel themselves with strong front fl ip- pers while harbor seals use pow- erful hind fl ippers. On your next visit to Central Park Zoo, you’ll have the chance to compare these aquatic mammals and observe the differences between the two spe- cies fi rst-hand. Photos: Julie Larsen Maher ©WCS Maher Larsen Julie Photos: 2 Mornings at the Zoo 2015 Monthly Events for Conservation-Level Members he 2015 Mornings at the Zoo series begins in April! This Tseries of special events is open to WCS Members at the Conservation Supporter level and above. Join us before the zoo opens for a look at some spectacular animals and exhibits, and the opportunity to gain an insider’s understanding of wildlife conservation and animal care. Central Park Zoo Scavenger Hunt Sun., 4/12 at 9am at the Central Park Zoo Embark on an educational and fun-fi lled Central Park Zoo scav- enger hunt where you’ll come face-to-face with amazing animals, learn some wildlife secrets, and win great prizes! You’ll encounter sea lions, snow leopards, penguins, red pandas, and much more; your quest will take you throughout the zoo and teach you about many of your favorite animals. Meet in front of the snow monkey exhibit. Light refreshments served. Smart phone or digital camera recommended. Not a Conservation-Level Member? Mornings at the Zoo events are open only to Members at the Con- servation Supporter level and above. If you are not at Conserva- ©WCS Maher Larsen Julie Photos: tion-level Member and would like to attend, you can join, renew, or upgrade your Membership today by calling 718-220-5112. Con- servation-level Membership starts at the $295 Conservation Sup- porter Level. Pre-registration required! Please visit bronxzoo.com/morningsatthezoo to reserve your spot. Reservations open approximately 60 days prior to each event. There Are Many Ways to Save Wildlife In addition to making a one-time donation, there are many ways that you can be a part of WCS’s mission to save wildlife and wild places worldwide. Give Monthly Become a Wildlife Protector and Become a Conservation Patron provide ongoing monthly support to save the world’s most Support 500 conservation projects in 60 magnifi cent wildlife and wild places. You can make a countries, and enjoy exclusive access difference for as little as $5 per month. Please visit wcs. to panel discussions, special events, org/wildlifeprotectors for more info. and tours. For more information, visit ©WCS Maher Larsen Julie Photos: Leave a Legacy Designate the Wildlife Conservation wcs.org/patrons or call 718-220-5085. Society as a benefi ciary in your will or of your individual Give a Matching Gift Employees retirement account or life insurance policy. Your legacy can double or triple the value of their Twogift willindividual enable animals WCS to from protect an as-of-yet wildlife unnamed and the spaces donations to WCS through their company’s speciesthey inhabit of humpback for many dolphin years into the come. waters To offlearn northern more, matching gift program. Please see your Australia.please visit wcs.giftplans.org or contact Nora Benoliel at company’s personnel offi ce for details. [email protected] or 718-741-1628. 3 A Rare Toad Returns to Puerto Rico Puerto Rican crested toads are brown to yellow-brown in color and covered with warts and blackish spines. CS’s Queens Zoo has successfully bred critical- Travelling Tadpoles Wly-endangered Puerto Rican crested toads for reintroduction to their native habitat. The zoo began The tadpoles were sent to Puerto Rico where biolo- breeding the species in 2014 as part of a collaborative gists from the Caribbean Ecological Services and the effort with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums to Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmen- boost the wild population. tal Resources introduced them to their low-lying rocky habitats. Breeding Behind the Scenes The greatest threats affecting the Puerto Rican The successful breeding of this endangered species crested toad are human-related and include habitat is an example of the conservation work that goes on loss and the introduction of the invasive giant toad. behind the scenes every day at the WCS zoos and The wild population fl uctuates between 1,000 to aquarium. In order to encourage the toads to repro- 3,000 adult toads, all of which are found in Guánica duce, WCS herpetology staff had to recreate complex National Forest on the natural conditions. The males and females were sepa- southern coast of rated and placed in enclosures that mimic the environ- Puerto Rico. It ment and seasonal changes they would experience in is hoped that the wild.